Story

The Digital Footprints That Reveal Extremists Online – and Change the World Beyond the Screen

Those who spread hate, disinformation, or anti-democratic messages online often believe they can hide behind screens, aliases, and anonymous accounts. But almost everyone leaves traces behind. For the investigative organisation Bellingcat, following these digital footprints has led to some of the most high-profile revelations of our time.

Michael Colborne, a journalist and investigator at the international investigative organisation Bellingcat, has spent years examining how anti-democratic actors use the internet to spread their messages. He believes that understanding today’s digital environment is crucial to the future of democracy.

How Anti-Democratic Actors Exploit the Online Space

When Bellingcat began investigating online ideologies, the goal was to understand how anti-democratic actors use digital platforms, apps, and new technologies to spread, mainstream, and normalise their views.

According to Colborne, the rapid evolution of social media and digital tools has created opportunities that did not exist even a decade ago.

“Understanding how these actors exploit the structures, contexts, and technologies of the online world is critical to protecting and strengthening democracy,” he says.

The Bigger Impact of Investigative Reporting

One of the most important lessons Bellingcat has learned is how much impact a well-executed investigation can have.

Some investigations have produced immediate and tangible results. Colborne points to Bellingcat’s work on non-consensual deepfake pornography websites, which contributed to payment providers terminating services for several of these platforms.

But the impact is not limited to direct action.

“Even investigations that may not appear to have had an immediate effect can make a difference over time. They increase public awareness, encourage discussion, and provide a foundation that other media outlets can build upon,” Colborne explains.

International Attention to the Deepfake Threat

Colborne highlights Bellingcat’s reporting on non-consensual deepfake pornography as a clear example of investigative journalism driving change.

He says the organisation’s work has helped bring increased international policy attention to the issue and established Bellingcat as a leading voice in the field.

Through its investigations, Bellingcat has not only helped other media organisations understand the scale of the problem, but has also provided policymakers and other stakeholders with insights into how these exploitative and misogynistic services can be challenged.

Following the Digital Breadcrumbs

At the heart of many of “Bellingcat researchers describe as “digital footprint tracing,” identifying and connecting the digital traces people leave behind online.

The method has been used in investigations involving neo-Nazis, far-right financial backers, and the operators of questionable websites.

“Even the most careful online actors leave digital breadcrumbs behind. By analysing and connecting those traces, we can produce investigations with real-world consequences,” he says.

The approach has become one of the organisation’s most powerful investigative tools and has also been used in Bellingcat’s extensive reporting on the Kinahan crime cartel.

Reporting Carefully in a Polarised Environment

At the same time, the political climate has influenced how Bellingcat approaches its work.

Following reporting on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, the organisation has not changed the way it publishes findings, but Colborne says it has become even more careful about how results are framed and discussed.

In today’s political environment, Bellingcat pays close attention to potential legal implications and takes particular care not to draw conclusions that go beyond what the evidence supports.

Looking After the Investigators

Perhaps the most important lesson from the work is not about technology or investigative methods at all.

Researching extremism, hate, and exploitative online content can take a psychological toll. Colborne therefore stresses the importance of protecting the mental wellbeing of researchers and investigators.

“Even small amounts of exposure to harmful content can add up over time,” he says.

It is also the advice he would most strongly offer to other organisations working on similar issues: never underestimate the human cost of this work. To investigate society’s darker corners over the long term, the people doing the work need support as well.

Bellingcat’s experience shows that a combination of rigorous investigations, digital expertise, and persistence can make a real difference. In a time when many battles over information and influence are fought online, even the smallest digital traces can sometimes lead to the biggest changes.